Child services spokesperson: ‘No specific age’ requirement for ‘conversations’ with children<\/h2>\n\n![\"\"\/](\"https:\/\/cdn.christianpost.com\/assets\/img\/icon\/chat-rect.svg\")
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<\/source><\/picture>Getty Images <\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\nSocial workers in Los Angeles County are required to ask children reportedly as young as 10 years old about their \u201csexual orientation\u201d and \u201cgender identity.\u201d<\/p>\n
A spokesperson for the county Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) confirmed the policy, which requires social workers to engage in \u201cconversations about sexual orientation, gender identity and expression\u201d without adherence to any specific age limit.<\/p>\n
In a statement to The Christian Post, DCFS said the practice \u2014 which “does not include a specific age as a parameter\u201d \u2014 is \u201cdesigned to promote the overall mental health and well-being of [LGBT] youth.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cWe recognize that these dialogues are critical steps toward providing every child, inclusive of sexual orientation and gender, the opportunity to thrive in a supportive and caring environment,\u201d the statement added.<\/p>\n
According to its website, DCFS policy<\/a> states there is \u201cno right or wrong age to ask a child [or non-minor dependent] about their sexual orientation and gender identity and expression.<\/p>\nThis policy also states that a child\u2019s \u201csexual orientation is confidential and is not to be disclosed in any court reports unless the child … has given permission to share the information.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cRegardless of a parent’s wishes for disclosure it is the child\u2019s right to choose whether or not to disclose their sexual orientation,\u201d the document states.<\/p>\n
This policy was highlighted in a viral video shared <\/a>by Canadian Chris Elston, who goes by the name \u201cBillboard Chris\u201d on X, which shows a woman, who would only identify herself as an employee at a child protective services agency, saying that the agency\u2019s social workers are told to ask \u201call children over the age of 10 that come from abusive and neglected homes \u2026 their gender identity, their gender expression and their sexual orientation.\u201d<\/p>\n\nA California woman with a senior role at L.A. County\u2019s Child Protective Services tells us that every child 10+ gets asked for their sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression.<\/p>\n
These are children coming from terrible homes and all sorts of abuse. <\/p>\n
In their FIRST\u2026 pic.twitter.com\/GJElO6Pee9<\/a><\/p>\n\u2014 Billboard Chris ???????????????? (@BillboardChris) October 19, 2023<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\nWhile she would not provide any additional details about her role beyond that she was \u201cup there\u201d in the agency\u2019s ranks, the woman said as part of a procedural requirement, whenever a child of at least 10 years of age comes into contact with the agency, the social worker is required to ask \u201cwhat their gender identity and gender expression and their sexual orientation is.\u201d<\/p>\n
The line of questioning is mandatory for children \u201ceven if they\u2019re home with their parents,\u201d she added.<\/p>\n
Describing herself as an “old school Democrat but not anymore,\u201d the unidentified woman would not speculate on the results of such conversations \u2014 which apparently include the use of a \u201ccute little unicorn\u201d \u2014 because her role does not require her to be \u201cin the field.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Still, she said, \u201cI don’t think we should be having conversations about gender and sex with children.\u201d<\/p>\n
Agreeing with interviewer and YouTuber James Kl\u00fcg about his view that such a policy appears to presume gender ideology as fact and not a belief system, the woman added, \u201c[They] can’t vote, can’t buy cigarettes, can’t drink, but yet you can designate your gender identity?”<\/p>\n
The Christian Post was unable to confirm the identity of the woman featured in the video or her claim to be employed by a local child protective services agency.<\/p>\n
While it was unclear whether the woman is employed by Los Angeles County or DCFS,\u00a0 such allegations would not be without precedent: DCFS has faced a number of scandals in recent years, perhaps most infamously the cases of Gabriel Fernandez and Anthony Avalos<\/a>, two boys who both had open cases at DCFS and later died after multiple reports of abuse.<\/p>\nThe DCFS website <\/a>has a dedicated page for LGBT-identified \u201cyouth\u201d which states the agency\u2019s commitment to \u201cproviding a safe and affirming environment that uplifts your sexual orientation, gender-identify and expression (SOGIE) so that you can thrive.\u201d<\/p>\nA document <\/a>on the DCFS site also says LGBT-identified kids “have the right to be free of harassment and discrimination based on their actual or perceived SOGIE.” The agency also says these children “shall not be exposed to attempts to change their SOGIE and cannot be forced to hide their SOGIE in order to get support, receive services, be placed, etc.”<\/p>\n![](\"https:\/\/cdn.christianpost.com\/images\/cache\/image\/15\/08\/150806_w_760_486.jpg\")
<\/source><\/picture>A screenshot of a page under the DCFS open bids and solicitations section which appears to prohibit any efforts to expose children to “attempts to change” their gender identity or “sexual orientation.”<\/span> | Screenshot\/LA County DCFS website<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\nA digital flyer <\/a>on the DCFS website also offers \u201cfive things to know if you think your child\u201d is LGBT-identified,\u201d and includes the statement, \u201cBeing [LGBT-identified] is not a phase, choice or illness. It is simply a natural variation of the human condition, like being left-handed.\u201d<\/p>\nThe flyer also links out to the LA County LGBT Child Abuse Prevention Council, which claims <\/a>to work toward \u201cpromoting the safety and well-being of [LGBT-identified] youth and children in Los Angeles County.\u201d<\/p>\nLast month, the Biden administration proposed <\/a>a new rule that would require foster care agencies to place LGBT-identified children with families that will affirm their gender identity and sexual orientation.<\/p>\nThe U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Administration for Children and Families unveiled on Thursday a proposed rule<\/a> on LGBT children in the foster care system.<\/p>\nAccording to the proposal, “agencies must ensure that a safe and appropriate placement is available for and provided to any child in foster care who identifies as LGBTQI+ and requests such a placement.”<\/p>\n
\nIan M. Giatti is a reporter for The Christian Post and the author of\u00a0BACKWARDS DAD: a children’s book for grownups<\/a><\/em>. He can be reached at:\u00a0ian.giatti@christianpost.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\nFree<\/span> Religious Freedom Updates<\/h2>\nJoin thousands of others to get the FREEDOM POST<\/strong> newsletter for free, sent twice a week from The Christian Post.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
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<\/source><\/picture>Social workers in Los Angeles County are required to ask children reportedly as young as 10 years old about their \u201csexual orientation\u201d and \u201cgender identity.\u201d<\/p>\n
A spokesperson for the county Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) confirmed the policy, which requires social workers to engage in \u201cconversations about sexual orientation, gender identity and expression\u201d without adherence to any specific age limit.<\/p>\n
In a statement to The Christian Post, DCFS said the practice \u2014 which “does not include a specific age as a parameter\u201d \u2014 is \u201cdesigned to promote the overall mental health and well-being of [LGBT] youth.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cWe recognize that these dialogues are critical steps toward providing every child, inclusive of sexual orientation and gender, the opportunity to thrive in a supportive and caring environment,\u201d the statement added.<\/p>\n
According to its website, DCFS policy<\/a> states there is \u201cno right or wrong age to ask a child [or non-minor dependent] about their sexual orientation and gender identity and expression.<\/p>\n This policy also states that a child\u2019s \u201csexual orientation is confidential and is not to be disclosed in any court reports unless the child … has given permission to share the information.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cRegardless of a parent’s wishes for disclosure it is the child\u2019s right to choose whether or not to disclose their sexual orientation,\u201d the document states.<\/p>\n This policy was highlighted in a viral video shared <\/a>by Canadian Chris Elston, who goes by the name \u201cBillboard Chris\u201d on X, which shows a woman, who would only identify herself as an employee at a child protective services agency, saying that the agency\u2019s social workers are told to ask \u201call children over the age of 10 that come from abusive and neglected homes \u2026 their gender identity, their gender expression and their sexual orientation.\u201d<\/p>\n A California woman with a senior role at L.A. County\u2019s Child Protective Services tells us that every child 10+ gets asked for their sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression.<\/p>\n These are children coming from terrible homes and all sorts of abuse. <\/p>\n In their FIRST\u2026 pic.twitter.com\/GJElO6Pee9<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Billboard Chris ???????????????? (@BillboardChris) October 19, 2023<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n While she would not provide any additional details about her role beyond that she was \u201cup there\u201d in the agency\u2019s ranks, the woman said as part of a procedural requirement, whenever a child of at least 10 years of age comes into contact with the agency, the social worker is required to ask \u201cwhat their gender identity and gender expression and their sexual orientation is.\u201d<\/p>\n The line of questioning is mandatory for children \u201ceven if they\u2019re home with their parents,\u201d she added.<\/p>\n Describing herself as an “old school Democrat but not anymore,\u201d the unidentified woman would not speculate on the results of such conversations \u2014 which apparently include the use of a \u201ccute little unicorn\u201d \u2014 because her role does not require her to be \u201cin the field.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n Still, she said, \u201cI don’t think we should be having conversations about gender and sex with children.\u201d<\/p>\n Agreeing with interviewer and YouTuber James Kl\u00fcg about his view that such a policy appears to presume gender ideology as fact and not a belief system, the woman added, \u201c[They] can’t vote, can’t buy cigarettes, can’t drink, but yet you can designate your gender identity?”<\/p>\n The Christian Post was unable to confirm the identity of the woman featured in the video or her claim to be employed by a local child protective services agency.<\/p>\n While it was unclear whether the woman is employed by Los Angeles County or DCFS,\u00a0 such allegations would not be without precedent: DCFS has faced a number of scandals in recent years, perhaps most infamously the cases of Gabriel Fernandez and Anthony Avalos<\/a>, two boys who both had open cases at DCFS and later died after multiple reports of abuse.<\/p>\n The DCFS website <\/a>has a dedicated page for LGBT-identified \u201cyouth\u201d which states the agency\u2019s commitment to \u201cproviding a safe and affirming environment that uplifts your sexual orientation, gender-identify and expression (SOGIE) so that you can thrive.\u201d<\/p>\n A document <\/a>on the DCFS site also says LGBT-identified kids “have the right to be free of harassment and discrimination based on their actual or perceived SOGIE.” The agency also says these children “shall not be exposed to attempts to change their SOGIE and cannot be forced to hide their SOGIE in order to get support, receive services, be placed, etc.”<\/p>\n A digital flyer <\/a>on the DCFS website also offers \u201cfive things to know if you think your child\u201d is LGBT-identified,\u201d and includes the statement, \u201cBeing [LGBT-identified] is not a phase, choice or illness. It is simply a natural variation of the human condition, like being left-handed.\u201d<\/p>\n The flyer also links out to the LA County LGBT Child Abuse Prevention Council, which claims <\/a>to work toward \u201cpromoting the safety and well-being of [LGBT-identified] youth and children in Los Angeles County.\u201d<\/p>\n Last month, the Biden administration proposed <\/a>a new rule that would require foster care agencies to place LGBT-identified children with families that will affirm their gender identity and sexual orientation.<\/p>\n The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Administration for Children and Families unveiled on Thursday a proposed rule<\/a> on LGBT children in the foster care system.<\/p>\n According to the proposal, “agencies must ensure that a safe and appropriate placement is available for and provided to any child in foster care who identifies as LGBTQI+ and requests such a placement.”<\/p>\n Ian M. Giatti is a reporter for The Christian Post and the author of\u00a0BACKWARDS DAD: a children’s book for grownups<\/a><\/em>. He can be reached at:\u00a0ian.giatti@christianpost.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n Join thousands of others to get the FREEDOM POST<\/strong> newsletter for free, sent twice a week from The Christian Post.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n
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